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Radar - West
Mike Hopkins
Age: 22
Specialty: Big mountain, slopestyle
Current ski area: Red Resort, Rossland, BC
Origins: Red Mountain, Rossland, BC
Accomplices: Leah Evans, Tim Bergen, Dane Tudor
Sponsors: Rossignol, Giro, Smith, Da Kine, Red Resort, Scott Poles, Mom
Comp results: First, 2006 Fernie Big Mountain Challenge; second, 2006 Lake Louise Big Mountain Challenge; 2006 RCR Canadian Freeskiing overall champion; third, 2007 Lake Louise Big Mountain Challenge; fifth, 2007 Spring Fling Pro Invitational Rail Jam; fourth, 2007 Ontic Rail Jam
It isn't X Game podium placements or segments in the latest ski movies that has Mike Hopkins on everyone's radar these days. It's his attitude.
"Mike is a shredder, for sure. He's got a lot of talent," says Rossland, BC-based photographer Derek Frankowski. "But there are a lot of guys out there with talent. Hopkins has a good attitude, and he's easy to work with."
It's sentiments like this that have provided Hopkins the opportunity to work with many of the industry's best photographers over the last few years. In the era of big egos and big paycheques, where corporate sponsorship has catapulted many young athletes into almost mythical status, Hopkins has stayed grounded. Whether he's attacking big-mountain ski terrain or sending it on a mountain bike (he does both professionally), his easygoing attitude and natural talent will likely keep him on our radar for years to come.
- Peter Moynes
Photo: The all-around athlete gets around. Red Mountain, BC. Creary photo
